Beltain
Beltain is that point in the year
when you normally feel the springtime
has arrived at long last and you just
want to be a part of the Earth and the
things that are growing in it.
Each Beltain we try and connect with
that spirit of lightness and
growth that signifies the season and
this includes your garden, your
mind and your spirit.
If you are lucky enough to be a part
of a large group, you could
make a traditional May Pole and do
a dance around it. This is an old
pagan rite that personifies the mating
of nature with all things.
You need a pole that is at least 16
feet long, and it should taper from the
bottom to the tip in a gradual way.
Each person that is taking part in
the rite brings a ribbon that is 16
feet long. (Urge them to bring 
different colors.) The ribbons
are attached to the top
of the pole with a length
left swinging free.
The pole needs to be put
into the ground
very firmly, some people
use a 5 gallon bucket
filled withsand and then
sunk into the ground.
In this way it can take the
tug and pull that
happens as the people turn
around it.
To line the people up it
is customary to make it as
much male female as possible.
You can use
any music or even people
chanting.
Every other person faces in
the opposite direction as the music
starts and everyone that is designated
as part of the outer circle
takes their ribbon in a clock wise
fashion, (deosil) while the
others go in the opposite direction,
(windershins). You simply go
under the ribbon of the person coming
at you, in this way at the
end of the dance you will have wrapped
the ribbons around
the pole in a colorful pattern.
The May Pole is the representation
of the God and the
ribbon represent the Goddess.
This is a symbol of the mating
of all things in nature.
Many traditions have competitions
in different sports, as well
as having contests for handicrafts.
Many foods are shared and the day
is spent in fellowship. This
is also the time when Hand Fastings are
traditionally announced and performed.
Beltain is the most
joyous time of the year and one that
brings people closer
together within families and circles
of friends.
If you are spending this holiday with
just your family you can
make it just as special by making
special arrangements for
feasting and maybe you could plant
some things for summer growth.
Even if you live in a very urban area
you could honor the
season by making a small herbarium
on your patio, by planting
one or two common herbs that you could
then use in the kitchen.
Music should be a part of the day
as well as head dresses for the
ladies if you like. Many people
make chaplets with silk flowers
and lace edging that you can purchase
at any yardage store, or
your local department store.
As far as food
goes you could really use any menu
that is pleasing to everyone attending.
Dishes that use
fresh flowers are very popular as
well as things that are
made with wild grains and anything
that is made with
your hands. This way you bring
a very personal
note into the offering.
On an interesting note, the word Beltain
can be spelled
many ways. I have seen it as
spelled on this page and
also as; Beltane, Beltayne, Beltaine.
I don't think there
is any right or wrong way, the meaning
is the same.
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Background
and Buttons made using photos by Celesté